NewCanaanite.com (https://newcanaanite.com/author/hoyt-funeral-home/page/14)
Mary D. Aldrich “Grammy”, 73, of New Canaan, CT passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, with her daughters by her side. Mary was a longtime resident of New Canaan. Born June 14th, 1950 in Westport, CT, Mary was the daughter of Maria Caruso D’Amico and Anthony D’Amico. “Little Mary” was the youngest of eleven D’Amico children, a spot she held proudly. In 1970 she graduated with an Associate’s Degree from Sacred Heart University.
Jean Grzelecki, 85, of New Canaan, CT, passed away on March 13, 2024, surrounded by members of her family. Jean was the wife of Frank Grzelecki, to whom she had been married for 64 years. Jean was born on January 24, 1939, in Salem, New Jersey. She graduated from Gettysburg College in 1960. After raising her daughters in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, Jean enjoyed a period of time in Princeton, NJ, where she was a member of the Present-Day Club.
Kathleen Cook passed away at the age of 88 peacefully surrounded by her family on March 2nd, 2024. Kathleen was born in Yonkers, NY on February 29th,1936 to the hon. Judge Harold T. and Mary Broderick Garrity. She grew up in Yonkers, NY with her siblings MaryAnn (Charles Hagelin) James (Andrea) and Matthew (Judy) Garrity. Kathleen graduated from Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, NY and continued her education studying business law at Marymount Jr. college in Arlington, VA. In 1960 Kathleen married Robert William Cook and they moved to Chappaqua, NY where they raised their 4 children.
Gail Elder Harden, 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 1, 2024, at her home near New Canaan, CT. Gail (“Lucy” to her grandchildren) was born on September 3, 1938, in Greensboro, NC, to Walter Clifton Elder and Elizabeth Cheek Elder and grew up in Burlington, NC. She attended Walter Williams High School in Burlington, earned a bachelor’s degree from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, and a master’s degree in education from the University of North Carolina. She taught early elementary education in Chapel Hill and Burlington and then devoted herself to raising her four children: Boyd, Shea, Graham, and Holmes Jr.
Gail showed an early interest in athletics as a high school cheerleader and a collegiate sportswriter. She pivoted to education and served as a substitute teacher for many years while raising her four children.
John J. O’Connor, a New Canaan resident for 43 years, passed away peacefully on February 20, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Manhattan, NY on August 20th, 1946, the eldest son of Daniel and Dorothy O’Connor. He married his college sweetheart, Wynne (Muller) O’Connor, and together they celebrated 49 years of marriage, raising three children and sharing the joy of five grandchildren.
Raised in Jackson Heights, NY, John graduated from Xavier High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s and law degrees at Fordham University and a Master of Laws degree at NYU Graduate School of Law. He dedicated many years to a successful career as a corporate attorney and, upon retirement, found fulfillment in teaching law and business courses at local colleges and universities. He was a proud member of the Army’s Fighting 69th Regiment and of the Friendly Sons of St.